.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}
Punters brave torrid rain and mud as Tiger Roll denied fairytale ending
Diogo Jota squeezed the opener in after Thiago carved Arsenal’s midfield and defence apart.
Not long after, Mikel Arteta’s men failed to clear their lines and second half substitute made them pay.
The Gunners may have lost, but they’re still in control of their own destiny in the race to finish inside the top four.
Arsenal are one point ahead of their nearest rivals Manchester United and even have TWO games in hand.
CHELTENHAM FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS – ALL THE LATEST DEALS FOR THE RACING THIS WEEK
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Mbu rated the Gunners’ performance.
Aaron Ramsdale – 5/10
The in-form goalkeeper made a good save to deny Virgil van Dijk within the opening minutes.
But was beaten at his near post for Diogo Jota’s opener in the second half.
Could’ve done better for Liverpool’s second too.
Kieran Tierney – 6
Had a quiet evening but never really looked shaky when defending.
A leader in the squad, who’ll be in the running for the captaincy this summer.
Gabriel – 5
In the first half Gabriel did well to keep Sadio Mane as close to him as possible.
But in the second half, Gabriel was a part of an Arsenal defence that switched off twice and they were made to pay by a world class team.
Ben White – 5
Like his centre-back partner, Ben White had a solid first half.
But the summer signing struggled in the second half as Liverpool ramped up the pressure.
Cedric Soares – 6
Was immense in the first half.
Didn’t let Luis Diaz have a sniff of goal, much to Arteta and his team-mate’s delight.
But both of Liverpool’s goals came from down his side.
Granit Xhaka – 6
Played a key role in nullifying Liverpool’s midfield in the first half.
But once Thiago stepped up the tempo in the middle of the park, the Swiss international’s impact faded.
Thomas Partey – 6
Has come into his own this season and showed glimpses of what he is capable of.
But when against one of the best teams in the world, he struggled to keep up with the Reds in the second half.
Martin Odegaard – 5
The Norwegian wonderkid struggled to have an influence in the game.
He was tightly marked both on and off the ball, making it hard to connect with his fellow attackers.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Determined and direct runner, as always.
Skinned his man in the 14th minute to drive the ball towards the byline and get a cross into the six-yard box, but there wasn’t an Arsenal shirt near enough to the cross to tap home.
Arsenal’s biggest threat from start to finish.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Always made himself available for the switch and had great joy attacking down the right flank in the opening 45.
Was unlucky not to pick up an assist in the eighth minute after he clipped the ball towards the far post for Martinelli to get a shot off on goal.
But Andy Robertson done a job on the England international after what must’ve been a ferocious half-time team talk by Klopp.
Alexandre Lacazette – 6
Always key in building attacks with his excellent hold-up play.
But tonight he found it hard against a centre-back partnership in Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, which happens to be one of the best around.
Subs
Emile Smith Rowe (for Odegaard, 67) – 5
Struggled to have an impact as Liverpool were cruising and two goals in front.
